Cavan star Cian Mackey says he would have followed in Sean Cavanagh's footsteps if faced with the same dilemma.

Mackey, who was named Opel GAA/GPA Player of the Month for July along with Dublin hurler Paul Ryan, insists he would have done the same as Cavanagh, who hauled down Conor McManus when a goal looked on in Saturday's semi-final against Monaghan.

"I'd do the exact same," he said. "It's win at all costs. It's horrible if you're on the receiving end, but that's the way football is.

"If you have to do it, you have to do it. If every footballer's honest, they'd tell you the exact same thing."

And he suggested that even if the black card regulations had been in play, players would still make the same illegal tackle to prevent a goal scoring chance.

"There's still going to be cynical stuff in the game. It happens in every sport. The black card might possibly change part of it, but the game will still be cynical enough.

"If Monaghan scored the goal, they'd probably have won the game. So, I'm sure players would still take the black card rather than give away the goal. With goal chances like that, people will still be pulled down."

Cavan also came into Brolly's sights for their style of play as he branded them the 'Black Death' of Gaelic football. Mackey said: "I think underneath it all, Joe was giving us a slight compliment. No-one wanted to play us. Everyone wants to play good open football like the Dubs, but you play to your strengths. The Black Death is a tight one to hear, but it didn't bother us too much at all."